Liverpool are a club with plenty of sentiment - but this ruthless act will likely divide a few fans
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Liverpool have told a long-serving veteran of their star that he won't be kept around this summer, with the Reds making sweeping changes after Jurgen Klopp leaves.
With Klopp leaving at the end of the season, however, returning director Michael Edwards isn't going to be working with the same sentiment, overhauling the side for the next manager – with some popular stars potential casualties of the new regime.
Michael Edwards (left) has work to do this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)
One unsurprising but potentially unpopular decision, however, will be not to offer Joel Matip a new deal. TEAMtalk reports despite expectation in some circles that the Cameroonian would be offered a short-term extension to his current contract, this isn't going to happen.
Matip was one of Klopp's first signings when he moved from Schalke on a free transfer in 2016. The defender has been a reliable and consistent star alongside plenty of other defenders but suffered a season-ending injury in December.
Liverpool will not be continuing the 32-year-old's rehabilitation from injury when his deal ends this summer, however, if this report is to be believed, with Matip needing to find another club to return to first-team action with.
Joel Matip has spent eight years at Liverpool (Image credit: Matthew Ashton - AMA/2022 AMA Sports Photo Agency)
In FourFourTwo's opinion, this is an understandable decision to have made from a business perspective but it is disappointing to see such a stalwart of the Klopp era end his time on Merseyside like this. A one-year extension would be a nice gesture from a club who often treat their players very well – and could help a transition in which plenty of new players will have to bed in next term.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
